Responding to Members of Parliament (MPs) who had asked if there was a need to review guidelines to specifically address concerns that may arise from telemedicine, Mr Ong said he did not think so as the current guidelines are still applicable.
Currently, telemedicine providers are required to be licensed under the Healthcare Services Act and comply with requirements and standards, he said.
Medical practitioners also need to adhere to the ethical and professional standards set out in the SMC’s Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines.
Under the guidelines, they must obtain sufficient information from their patients, conduct appropriate clinical assessment and ensure that any provision of medical care, prescription of medicines and issuance of medical certificates are justified on proper medical grounds.
He added that polyclinic patients who require an MC have to turn up in person.
“We were hesitant to allow telemedicine for acute treatment precisely because we wanted to be quite careful about (the) issuing of MCs,” he said.
Mr Ong pointed out that regulatory frameworks cannot eradicate offences.
Instead, he said they ensure that when practices have gone astray, especially with the advent of new technology and business models, they can be corrected promptly.
“When we have new technology, we have an opportunity to make service better, to serve patients and residents better,” he said.
“But just like all new technology, all new business models, someone will try to abuse and then questions will be raised: Is the ministry stepping up audits, enforcement, regulation … there’s always a temptation to do so.
“Then when you do so, you stop being able to seize the opportunities that new technology can present you.
“So that is why I want to be quite honest with members, I think the current requirements and standards are valid, and our enforcement has been effective.”
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